“SARTAGE” IN INDIA. 91 
of North Canara, where the remaining timber is much 
enhanced in value, and not more than sufficient for present 
demands, there are strong objections to this wasteful and 
barbarous system. I think that in Government forests, 
before clearances are made, permission should first be 
obtained from the revenue authorities in communication 
with this department, the locality and extent of the clear- 
ance being defined.’ 
In the final order issued by the Government, addressed 
to Dr Cleghorn under date of 23d May 1860, it is stated: 
‘It has been already noticed that in Mysore the practice 
of Koomaree cutting has been entirely abolished ; and that 
in the jungle districts of Bombay it has been so very 
nearly. The Government now prohibit Sarkar, Koomaree, 
or Koomaree cultivation in Government forests without 
previous permission. This permission should be given 
sparingly, and never for spots in the timber forests.’ 
And in the Report for 1860 of Dr Cleghorn, as Con- 
servator of Forests, it is stated in regard to this order :— 
‘The Government have issued definite orders on the future 
treatment of Koomaree cultivation in Canara, which is now 
prohibited except in cases where the land has been so 
cultivated within the last twelve years. It is understood 
that, under no circumstances, are valuable forests to be so 
treated. It has been shown that the system is injurious 
to the welfare of the wandering tribes by whom it is prac- 
tised; for, although Koomaree is itself profitable, the 
growers are not the gainers, the Soucars on the coast 
enjoying the larger share of the profits. When Koomaree 
does not interfere with the growth of valuable timber, as 
in the téluk of Bekal (where it is exhausted) the Govern- 
ment has exercised forbearance, and it has been allowed to 
continue for the present.’ 
In the Presidency of Bombay the designation Koomaree 
takes the form Koomri, The Conservator of Forests in 
that Province, in one of his reports, apparently that of 
